Shikhar Srivastava (Indian philanthropist): Difference between revisions

	Shikhar Srivastava
Born	8 June 2005, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Medical student
Years active	2016–present
Known for	Founder of Petals Foundation, Zostera
Education	Pursuing MBBS in India
Parents	Anita Srivastava, Kuldeep Srivastava
Website	petalsfoundation.in

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Latest revision as of 19:31, 29 August 2025

Shikhar Srivastava (born 8 June 2005) is an Indian philanthropist, social entrepreneur, and medical student. He is the founder of Petals Foundation, a nonprofit working in animal welfare, women’s empowerment, child education, and environmental sustainability. He is also the founder of Zostera, a jewellery brand that operates on a social enterprise model.

Early Life and Background

Born in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, into a family of law and politics, Srivastava was inspired by his mother, lawyer Anita Srivastava, and father, advocate Kuldeep Srivastava.

At age 11, Shikhar survived a shooting incident allegedly linked to political rivalry. This life-changing event fueled his motivation to serve the vulnerable.

His emotional attachments to his late grandmother and pet dog sparked empathy, which eventually led him to serve stray animals, street children, and elderly women without homes or families.

Education

Shikhar chose to pursue medicine, believing that his career should blend healthcare with community service. He is currently pursuing an MBBS degree in India, managing his education alongside Petals Foundation and Zostera operations.

Career

Petals Foundation

Petals Foundation was established in 2016 and now operates in over 42 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, and Prayagraj. It has international chapters in Bali, Jakarta, San Diego, Virginia, and Nepal.

Its focus areas include: - Animal welfare through feeding, rescue, and adoption - Women’s empowerment via menstrual hygiene awareness and vocational training - Child education through slum schools and resource distribution - Environmental sustainability via tree plantations and urban sanitation

Petals is known for its volunteer-driven, decentralized, and self-sustained structure.^[1]

Zostera

Zostera is a socially conscious jewellery and lifestyle startup. It funds Petals Foundation’s operations through its profits, embodying the principles of ethical business and financial independence.

Impact

Shikhar has helped: - Rescue and feed over 100,000 stray animals - Support thousands of homeless and elderly women - Educate and nourish children in underprivileged areas - Conduct menstrual hygiene drives for rural women - Launch tree plantation and sanitation campaigns^[2]

Media Recognition

Srivastava has been covered by major media outlets such as:

External Links

References

↑ "How Shikhar Srivastava’s Petals Foundation Is Inspiring a Generation", Forbes India. Retrieved July 2025.
↑ "Meet Shikhar Srivastava – The Young Changemaker Behind Petals Foundation’s Global Impact", The Bharat Now. Retrieved July 2025.

[1] "How Shikhar Srivastava’s Petals Foundation Is Inspiring a Generation", Forbes India. Retrieved July 2025.

[2] "Meet Shikhar Srivastava – The Young Changemaker Behind Petals Foundation’s Global Impact", The Bharat Now. Retrieved July 2025.

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[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
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+{{SHORTDESC:Indian philanthropist and founder of Petals Foundation and Zostera}}{{#seo:|title=Shikhar Srivastava (Indian philanthropist)|title_mode=append|keywords=Shikhar Srivastava, Indian philanthropist, Petals Foundation, Zostera, social entrepreneur, animal welfare, youth activism, Shikhar Srivastava Wikipedia|description=Shikhar Srivastava is an Indian philanthropist, jewellery entrepreneur, and the founder of Petals Foundation and Zostera, known for his work in social entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and grassroots impact.|image=Shikhar Srivastava.jpg|image_alt=Shikhar Srivastava in 2024}}
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@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 Its focus areas include: - [[wikipedia:Animal welfare in India|Animal welfare]] through feeding, rescue, and adoption - [[wikipedia:Women's empowerment in India|Women’s empowerment]] via menstrual hygiene awareness and vocational training - [[wikipedia:Right to education|Child education]] through slum schools and resource distribution - [[wikipedia:Environmental movement in India|Environmental sustainability]] via tree plantations and urban sanitation
-Petals is known for its [[wikipedia:volunteerism|volunteer-driven]], [[wikipedia:decentralized|decentralized]], and [[wikipedia:self-sustainability|self-sustained]] structure.
+Petals is known for its [[wikipedia:volunteerism|volunteer-driven]], [[wikipedia:decentralized|decentralized]], and [[wikipedia:self-sustainability|self-sustained]] structure.<ref>[https://www.theindiaforbesnews.co.in/2025/06/how-shikharsrivastavas-petals.html "How Shikhar Srivastava’s Petals Foundation Is Inspiring a Generation"], ''Forbes India''. Retrieved July 2025.</ref>
 === Zostera ===
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 == Impact ==
-Shikhar has helped: - Rescue and feed over 100,000 stray animals - Support thousands of homeless and elderly women - Educate and nourish children in underprivileged areas - Conduct menstrual hygiene drives for rural women - Launch tree plantation and sanitation campaigns
+Shikhar has helped: - Rescue and feed over 100,000 stray animals - Support thousands of homeless and elderly women - Educate and nourish children in underprivileged areas - Conduct menstrual hygiene drives for rural women - Launch tree plantation and sanitation campaigns<ref>[https://thebharatnow.com/meet-shikhar-srivastava-the-young-changemaker-behind-petals-foundations-global-impact/ "Meet Shikhar Srivastava – The Young Changemaker Behind Petals Foundation’s Global Impact"], ''The Bharat Now''. Retrieved July 2025.</ref>
 == Media Recognition ==
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 == External Links ==
 * [https://petalsfoundation.in Official website – Petals Foundation]
 * [https://thebharatnow.com/meet-shikhar-srivastava-the-young-changemaker-behind-petals-foundations-global-impact/ Bharat Now article]
@@ Line 77: / Line 76: @@
 == References ==
-<references><ref>[https://thebharatnow.com/meet-shikhar-srivastava-the-young-changemaker-behind-petals-foundations-global-impact/ "Meet Shikhar Srivastava – The Young Changemaker Behind Petals Foundation’s Global Impact"], ''The Bharat Now''. Retrieved July 2025.</ref> <ref>[https://www.theindiaforbesnews.co.in/2025/06/how-shikharsrivastavas-petals.html "How Shikhar Srivastava’s Petals Foundation Is Inspiring a Generation"], ''Forbes India''. Retrieved July 2025.</ref></references>